Spinner device

Abstract

A spinner having easily changeable indicia and an upper section which can be turned for viewing the indicia from different directions. The indicia are printed on two-sided, symmetrically shaped cards, each having a large hole in the center and evenly spaced notches along its outer edge. A card is mounted by placing it on top of the device. The central hole accommodates the spinner's pointer, allowing disks to be changed without removing the pointer. When a disk is mounted, some of its notches mate with raised tabs on the upper section, holding it in place. The remaining notches permit access to finger notches in the upper section which facilitate turning it, in a fashion similar to telephone dialing. When the upper section is turned, the spinner's pointer turns together with the indicia.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spinner comprising a base, an upper section mounted pivotally on the base by means of a central member which protrudes through a hole in the base, a pointer mounted revolvably on the upper section by means of a fastener seated in the central member, and a set of interchangeable indicia-bearing cards having holes in their centers large enough to accomodate the spinner's pointer and having a symmetric shape which is capable of mating with raised areas on the upper section when placed on the upper section in a multiplicity of orientations, thus holding the cards in place with respect to the upper section. 
     
     
       2. A spinner device according to claim 1, wherein a fastening device is attached to the central member, serving to prevent the upper section and base from separating when the device is picked up. 
     
     
       3. A spinner device according to claim 1, wherein the central member includes a resiliently deformable beaded collar which permits the upper section and base to be snapped together and subsequently prevents their separation. 
     
     
       4. A spinner device according to claim 1, where the central member consists of a separate part which is joined to the upper section after the upper section and base have been brought together, having an enlarged end which prevents the base and upper section from separating after it has been joined to the upper section. 
     
     
       5. A spinner according to claim 1, where the base has a raised section, upon which the upper section rests, to reduce the turning friction between the upper section and base. 
     
     
       6. A spinner device according to claim 1, wherein high friction foot pads are attached to the base to help prevent the device from skidding when the upper section is being turned. 
     
     
       7. A spinner device comprising a base, an upper section mounted pivotally on the base having finger notches in its outer edge, a pointer revolvably mounted on the upper section, and a set of interchangeable indicia-bearing cards having holes in their centers large enough to accomodate the spinner's pointer, having notches in their outer edges which coincide with and permit access to the finger notches in the upper section, and having a symmetric shape which is capable of mating with raised areas on the upper section when placed on the upper section in a multiplicity of orientations. 
     
     
       8. A spinner device according to claim 7, where the raised areas on the upper section include tabs which mate with the notches cut in the outer edges of the indicia-bearing cards. 
     
     
       9. A spinner device in accordance with claim 8, where the number of tabs is three. 
     
     
       10. A spinner device in accordance with claim 8, where the number of notches in the indicia-bearing cards is twelve. 
     
     
       11. A spinner device according to claim 7, where said notches in the cards' outer edges serve a dual purpose, mating with raised areas on the upper section and also permitting access to said finger notches in the upper section. 
     
     
       12. A spinner device according to claim 7, where the indicia-bearing cards are reversible and are printed on both sides.